Without the iPhone (Android soon), the Owl is basically useless.įinally, there’s the iPhone app and device pairing, which couldn’t be easier. This accident is faked, but it does show the intimate relationship between the Owl and the iPhone. I hate fiddling with cable connections in tight spaces, and this made attachment a breeze. The camera joins magnetically to the mount, and the power cable magnetically couples on both ends-to the camera and the OBD-II power adapter. Then there’s the magnetic coupling for the camera, similar to the power coupling you’ll see on Macbooks and Surface tablets. If you need to use one those devices alongside the Owl, but you can purchase a splitter online for about $10. Regardless, for the vast majority of users this setup beats the heck out of using the cigarette lighter/aux connector. Using the OBD-II port might also inconvenience anyone already using it for metered insurance such as Metromile, or a Bluetooth OBD diagnostic module. That said, the whole setup wasn’t nearly as inconspicuous with our second test vehicle, a 2001 Acura CL 3.2, whose OBD port is in the center console. The cable from the camera can easily be hidden in the dash/window crevice and underneath the trim on its way to the connector. The OBD-II connector is also most often handily located underneath your dash, somewhere between the steering column and the door. All non-commercial vehicles since the ‘96 model year (except the Tesla Model 3), should have one. Next up is a small stroke of genius: using your car’s OBD-II connector for a power source. The Owl sits within your field of view, but by using the shortest possible arm (several are included) it sits very low and could hardly be described as obstructing your vision of the road in most cases. Tell that to CHP if they stop you and let me know if it works. But hey, if Formula 1 drivers can deal with the new Halo head protection, this is nothing. You might want to check your state’s laws before installing any dash camera. I soon forgot it was there, as it didn’t block my view to any degree that would test the “not obstructing” criteria here in California. There’s an extra clear-plastic cup in the box if your prefer it to the pre-attached black one.īecause of the camera’s rather low position, it intrudes more into your field of view than a camera that’s hidden behind your review mirror would, but it’s low enough and small enough that driver distraction shouldn’t be an issue. The only caveats are that the mount tends to bounce just a bit, and the suction cup wants to stay attached to the windshield when you remove the mount.
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